A Place to Bury Strangers | Onwards to the Wall

CD Reviews

Brite Futures | Dark Past

Turnout (2011)

By MICHAEL MAROTTA | January 24, 2012

3.0 Stars

Oh, the perils of being a buzz band with a catchy name in the aughts. A few years ago, the cutesy teens in Natalie Portman's Shaved Head slid out of Seattle on the hot pink shoulders of robo-bounce kinda-hit "Me + Ur Daughter" and the cheap intrigue of a ridiculous moniker. The carefree electro-pop act eventually shortened its name to the less-than-tongue-rolling NPSH — apparently the actress wasn't pleased with the attention — and got bogged down in some old fashioned Major Label Turmoil (MLT, if you will). They finally parted ways with Warner Bros. last year, and the disconnect from the label also brought a separation from Portman's sexy bald scalp. Now as Brite Futures, their instant-dance-party debut picks up where NPSH's Glistening Pleasure left off — the cheeky lyrics are smarter than you may at first realize (they might even be genius), the nu-disco is as glossy as ever, and the sound bops around squealing synths and bubblegum beats. Lead track "Baby Rain" is a double-dribble electro romper with tradeoff blips and cowbell, whereas "Kissed Her Sister" is an indie-rock frolic that would make Brooklyn blush, with lyrical gems like "She's kinda punk but she likes the Kinks and Queen/Gossip Girl, and fashion magazines." Latest single "Too Young To Kill" is the band's "Stacy's Mom," a potentially classic sugar-pop explosion with a euphoric refrain of "Make it a club hit/We can all dance to/We don't give a shit what it's about." The deft lyrical skills that Brite Futures harness in attempts to appear shallow is a clear strength, and though Dark Past's title is a reflection on their bizarre early career and music-biz battles, the present looks pretty rosy.

Assaf Kehati Quartet | Flowers and Other Stories
The Boston-based Israeli guitarist Assaf Kehati and his quartet know how to straddle the great divide.
Washed Out | Within and Without
Two summers ago, a number of glo-fi buzz bands surfed trendy chillwaves around the blogosphere, reaching mild popularity amongst fans of subtle, retro dance beats and laid-back vibes.
As he is
For all the defiant, anguished fists we shake in the general direction of New York and Los Angeles whenever a musician becomes way more famous after they leave Boston, perhaps this city's gypsy-attracting disposition has advantages.
Why there won't ever be another 'Big Four' - and why that's a good thing
In April, thrash metal's self-billed "Big Four" — Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax — played a one-off American show in the middle of the desert in Indio, California.
Photos: Girls Rock Boston Showcase at Brighton Music Hall
Girls Rock Boston presents a showcase at Brighton Music Hall on August 13, 2011.
Review: Glee: The 3D Concert Movie
The little TV series with the can-do pipes rolls out a concert tour that's essentially a love-in with its fan base.
Identity Festival rocks out the dance party
Genre predictions are dumb, but there is one thing absolutely certain in music: rock music is dead, and the era of electronic dominance is finally here.
Out: Boston loses a musical ace
As the book says, it is best to follow the example set by Jesus Christ himself — live fast, die young, and leave a beautiful corpse.
Ten years in, Ladytron grounded by Gravity
More than a decade into their career as trusted electro-pop veterans, Ladytron's place in the world of pop music seems as precarious as when they started.
Review: Janie Jones
Borrowing the name of a Clash song with which it has nothing in common, this generic riff on the Crazy Heart template by writer/director David M. Rosenthal ( Falling Up ) also cribs from Sofia Coppola's Somewhere .
Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone
Lev Anderson and Chris Metzler's documentary details Fishbone's quarter-century journey from musically-diverse South Central middle school classmates to becoming one of the most influential Los Angeles bands of the '80s.
Less

Topics: CD Reviews , Boston, Music, brief, More

| More

view all

[ 05/29 ] Brad Hooper @ Andy's Old Port Pub

[ 05/29 ] karaoke with DJ Ponyfarm @ Slainte

ARTICLES BY MICHAEL MAROTTA

WFNX DIES BEFORE IT GETS OLD | May 23, 2012
One of the greatest anti-establishment rallying cries of the 20th century was the notion that you can't trust anyone over the age of 30.

THE TOXIC AVENGER | ANGST | May 25, 2012
The Toxic Avenger is a fitting moniker for French DJ/producer Simon Delacroix.

CUT COPY ON THE CELTICS-SIXERS SERIES, DEFEATING THE HAWKS, AND THE ATLANTA MEDIA'S 'CHARACTER ASSASSINATION' | May 15, 2012
In Green Colours 2

CUT COPY ON THEIR CELTICS PRIDE, WATCHING NBA PLAYOFF GAMES IN CASINOS, AND HAILING THE TRUTH, PAUL PIERCE | May 04, 2012
Earlier today I connected with Cut Copy guitarist Tim Hoey to get the truth behind their Green alliance, knowing full well the band will be glued to the screen -- 9:30 am Saturday, Australia time -- when Game 3 rolls around this evening at the Garden.

LOST IN THE ETHEREAL SOUND OF BLOUSE | May 01, 2012
Music is often meant to soothe, to relax the mind, and — at times of greatest need — to provide an escape from our drab daily grind.